Transient held in stabbing of 38-year-old near San Mateo Caltrain station

SAN MATEO -- Police have arrested a transient who they say stabbed and wounded a man near the downtown Caltrain station Thursday.

Suspect Dantes Mkrtchjan, 21, was arrested Friday near Hillsdale Shopping Center on suspicion of attacking the 38-year-old victim, who is also a transient, said San Mateo police Sgt. Dave Norris. The victim is in stable condition and expected to survive his injury, Norris added.

Police said someone stabbed the victim about 4:10 p.m. near the pedestrian footbridge and alley behind 80 North B St. Authorities have not indicated what led to the violence.

After the stabbing the suspect escaped and was spotted Friday at Hillsdale Boulevard and El Camino Real by a San Mateo police sergeant.

District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said prosecutors have until Tuesday to decide whether to charge Mkrtchjan. He added Mkrtchjan was already facing two felony counts of auto burglary from August and is awaiting an October sentencing for a drug sales conviction.